Cell detection method and cell detection system

Abstract

A cell detection method and a cell detection system capable of performing target cell detection satisfactorily without interference and reducing the time required for detection of target cells are provided. The cell detection method includes a separation step of step S 1 to obtain a sample containing target cells by removing at least a part of the non-target cells from a biological sample including target cells and non-target cells based on a difference in forces acting on target cells and non-target cells; a concentration step of step S 3 of obtaining a measurement sample having a target cell concentration increased from the sample containing target cells; a detection of step S 4 of detecting target cells by subjecting the measurement sample to an imaging flow cytometer.

1 . A cell detection method comprising:
 step of obtaining a sample containing target cells by removing at least a part of the non-target cells from a biological sample including target cells and non-target cells based on a difference in forces acting on the target cells and the non-target cells, respectively;   step of obtaining a measurement sample that has an increased concentration of the target cells with respect to the sample containing target cells; and   step of detecting the target cells by subjecting the measurement sample to an imaging flow cytometer.   
     
     
         2 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein the difference in forces acting on the target cells and the non-target cells is caused by a difference in the form between the target cells and the non-target cells. 
     
     
         3 . The cell detection method according to  claim 2 , wherein the form is cell size. 
     
     
         4 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the target cell-containing sample, the target cells and the non-target cells are separated without staining the target cells. 
     
     
         5 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target cells are stained before the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells. 
     
     
         6 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein the target cells are stained before the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells and after the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells. 
     
     
         7 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells, the target cells and the non-target cells are separated by flowing the biological sample through a micro flow channel. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells, the target cells and the non-target cells are separated by flowing the biological sample into a flow channel having a curved part. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells, the target cells and the non-target cells are separated based on a velocity distribution occurring in a channel through which the biological sample flows. 
     
     
         10 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the measurement sample, the sample containing target cells is concentrated. 
     
     
         11 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of cells contained in the measurement sample is set to 4.5×10 9  cells/mL or less. 
     
     
         12 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the measurement sample, the sample containing target cells is concentrated so that the measurement sample has a predetermined volume. 
     
     
         13 . The cell detection method according to  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined volume is a volume defined by the measurement time of the measurement sample in the step of detecting the target cells. 
     
     
         14 . The cell detection method according to  claim 13 , wherein the predetermined volume is a volume equal to or less than a value obtained by multiplying a maximum object movement speed, a maximum depth of field, a maximum imaging area width, and the measurement time of the imaging flow cytometer. 
     
     
         15 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , wherein in the step of obtaining the measurement sample, the sample containing target cells is centrifuged and the supernatant is removed to concentrate the sample containing the target cells. 
     
     
         16 . The cell detection method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a step of staining at least the target cells for imaging in the imaging flow cytometer.   
     
     
         17 . The cell detection method according to  claim 16 , wherein the step of staining the target cells is performed after the step of obtaining the sample containing target cells. 
     
     
         18 . The cell detection method according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one of a gene and a protein is stained in the step of staining the target cell. 
     
     
         19 . A cell detection method comprising:
 a step of obtaining a sample containing target cells by removing at least a part of the non-target cells from a biological sample containing the target cells and the non-target cells without staining the target cells;   a step of obtaining a measurement sample that has a concentration of the target cells increased from the sample containing target cells; and   a step of detecting the target cells by subjecting the measurement sample to an imaging flow cytometer.   
     
     
         20 . A cell detection system comprising:
 a separation unit for obtaining a sample containing target cells by removing at least a part of the non-target cells from a biological sample containing the target cells and the non-target cells based on the forces acting on each of the target cells and the non-target cells;   a concentration unit for obtaining a measurement sample having a concentration of the target cells increased from the sample containing target cells;   an imaging unit for imaging the target cells contained in the measurement sample flowing through the flow cell; and   a detection unit configured to detect the target cells based on the captured image acquired by the imaging unit.